June

Abstract

To northern-hemisphere observers, the evening sky is now dominated by the so-called Summer Triangle, consisting of Vega in Lyra, Deneb in Cygnus and Altair in Aquila. This name is completely unofficial; it arose from a casual remark of mine, made in a Sky at Night television programme more than 30 years ago, and in any case it is now winter in the southern hemisphere — but it has come into general use. Ursa Major is high in the north-west, Cassiopeia rather low in the north-east. The lovely orange Arcturus, in Boötes, is high up, and Virgo remains prominent, but Leo is starting to merge into the evening twilight. Much of the south-eastern aspect is occupied by the large but rather dim constellations of Hercules, Ophiuchus and Serpens. Antares, the red super-giant in the Scorpion, is visible in the south, though from British latitudes it is never seen to advantage.